Bracket for window furnishings



y 1942- H. G. BALTHASAR 2,281,659

I BRACKET FOR WINDOW FURNISHINGS Filed Oct. 1, 1940 INVENTOR' MAQ/M ATTORNEYS Patented May 5, 1942 res PATENT. OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to brackets of the type used for mounting various window furnishings, such as Venetian blinds, curtain rods, etc. More particularly, the invention relates to a bracket for this utility which includes an improved cornice arrangement and means for attaching the cornice in position.

It has been the object of the present inventor to consolidate or unify the supporting means for the various furnishings of a window, and accordingly, to provide a bracket completely equipped for supporting not only Venetian blinds, but drapery rods, curtain rods, and the decorative cornice. With these objectives, the inventor has provided a bracket construction which is extremely simple, which results in an assembly of the various furnishings in a very compact manner within th usual space, and upon which, the cornice or coverin means is easily and readily hung.

It has been a further object of the present inventor to provide a cornice which is readily adjusted to fit the particular window.

Since windows vary so much in size and frame styles, it has been found expedient to provide the cornice material in long lengths which can be cut and fitted to the desired size on the site of the job. Standard cornice brackets for the two corners are provided so that the fascia board and the two side boards or returns can be assembled easily. Interior decorators have found that cornices can be utilized to great advantage in creating special decorative efiects in window treatments, but have met with difficulty in making neat installations because of the lack of standardization of hardware.

The manufacturers of window shades, Venetian blinds, curtains, draperies, and similar equipment have provided many difierent types and sizes of mountings. As a result, drapery rods have been mounted on one set of brackets, curtain rods another, and if Venetian blinds were installed, they were mounted on another, diiferent set. A window treatment utilizing a Venetian blind with curtains and/or drapes and a cornice, required three or four sets of brackets, each of them being fastened to the window frame by its own means. This not only entailed extra work and time for installation, but in many instances, in the newer as well as the older houses, it was found impossible, because of the type of framework around the window, to install the brackets correctly for desired decorative styling.

In the past, various fastening means have been proposed for cornices, but in most instances, they were rigidly secured to the window frame and it was difficult to remove curtains, etc., for cleaning or other purposes. Thus, it has been another object to provide a cornice that is easily removable. Toward this end, the present inventor has provided a corner bracket for the cornice assembly which incorporates means for securing the cornice to its mounting brackets by a simple clip. Thus, the whole cornice assembly can be slipped off the mounting brackets to expose the mountings for the curtains, etc. Since the average housewife usually has diificulty in handling tools, the present inventor also has provided easily operated fastening means for the other mounts incorporated in the cornice mounting bracket.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a face view of a cornice embodying the invention. In this instance, the cornice is illustrated in connection with a Venetian blind and a pair of draperies.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the set shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2, illustrating the left hand mounting bracket in more detail.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view looking toward the inside of a corner bracket for a cornice embodying the invention.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a side view illustrating a modified form of the bracket. In this instance, the bracket incorporates means for installing a Venetian blind only.

Figure '7 is a top plan view of the bracket shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a side view illustrating a further modification of the bracket. In this instance, the bracket incorporates means for mounting a curtain rod and a drapery rod.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the bracket of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional HJ|0, Figure 3.

In Figure ,1 of the drawing, a cornice assembly, indicated at H), is shown in use with a pair of draperies and a Venetian blind. The cornice assembly comprises a fascia board H, corner brackets [2-H and returns l3-l3. The corner brackets are formed of sheet metal. Each corner bracket is provided with two pairs of clips l5 and I6; one pair adapted for engagement over View taken on line one end of the fascia board and the other pair adapted to engage the end of one of the returns. The pairs of clips are at the ends of the corner brackets at right angles relative to one another and extend respectively toward the back and inside of the corner brackets so that when the fascia board and returns are slipped into them, the ends of boards are concealed behind the corner brackets. This arrangement is preferred because the fascia board and returns are usually cut from a long strip to the correct size at the installation, and thus, the bracket hides the rough sawed ends of the boards. The outer side edges of the clips may be bent outwardly as at IT so that the ends of the fascia board and re. turns may he slipped between them more easily. One clip 18 on each bracket comprises the means for fastening the cornice assembly on the mounting brackets. In each instance, it is the upper clip of the pair which engages the fascia board.

The mounting bracket I 4 includes a foot flange 20' provided. with holes for a pair offastening screws 2l-2l. When fastened in place, the bracket extends outwardly from the window frame. This particular cornice mounting bracket includes supporting means for a Venetian blind and a rod for draperies. The head rail of a Venetian blind is shown at 22 and a'drapery rod at 23. One portion 24 of the bracket extends outwardly at right angles to the foot flange. The mounting for the Venetian blind is spot-welded to this portion and comprises a horizontal channel 25 into which the head'rail is slipped from the front of the bracket.

A latching element is included at 26 for locking the head rail in place. The latch 25 is slidably engaged in a vertical slot 27 in the rear wall of the'channel 25. The upper end of the latch is bent outwardly at right angles as at 28 to engage in the groove in the top of the rail. The lower end of the latch extends through an opening in the bottom wall 29 of the channel and is bent outwardly to provide a finger hold 30 for raising the latch element manually to release the head rail. A portion of the metal of the channel below the slot 2? is pressed outwardly into a plane beyond the latch to constitute a guideway 3i to prevent displacement of the latch. It will be seen that other types of fastening means for Venetian blinds may be substituted for the one shown, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Outwardly, beyond the section 24, the bracket is bent to the outside at right angles as at 24 and is bent forwardly again to constitute a section 32 on which the fastening means for the drapery rod 23 is mounted. At the forwardend of the section 32 the bracket is again bent at right angles toward the insideof the bracket to constitute a support flange 33 for the clip I8.

The drapery rod is supported in a pair of U- shaped cradles 34 which are mounted on the inner faces of the section 32. A pair of tangs 35 on each cradle extend through slots 38 inthe section 32 and turn downwardly against the outer face thereof. When the tangs are bent over on the outer wall, they look the cradle in place. (Figure 5.)

Above the cradles 34 a pair of lugs 31 are stamped from the wall section 320i the bracket and extend inwardly at right angles thereto. The lugs comprise supports for a strip of plywood or similar material (notshown) which may be installed to extend from-bracket to bracket above the draperies to protect them from dust. These lugs are shown best in Figures 8 and 9.

The mounting clip l8 (Figure 3) is offset, as at 38, to provide a slot 39 between it and the back of the fascia board for engaging the upper edge of the supporting flange 33 for th clip. The flange 33 is cut out, as at 40, in order to bring the top of the fascia board down flush with the top of the bracket. Also, the notched-out portion provides a shoulder 4| against which the outer edge of the clip above the offset 38 abuts; since, at this point, the clip lies in the same plane as the mount. (See Figure 10.) Thus, the cornice assembly, when installed, can- .not comev apart if the returns are accidentally knocked outwardly to the side. A lug 42 is stamped from the support flange to extend at right angles out under the lower edge of the clip to limit its downward movement. The lower edge of the clip is flared outwardly, as at 43, to facilitate the entrance of the upper edge of the flange into the slot.

In Figures 6 and 7, a modified form of the mounting bracket is shown. In this instance, the bracket includes the Venetian blind mounting 25, but no drapery or-other rods. The cornice mounting is therefore bent out to the side at right angles to the section 24 as at 33 an-dineludes, as in theform disclosed above, a shoulder 4.! against which the outer edge of the clip, above the ofiset 38, abuts.

In Figures 8 and 9, a further modification is disclosed; here, :two of the cradles Mare provided for draperies or a valance and curtains. The lugs 31 are also included for the installation of a strip to protect the hangings from dust. The cornice mounting flange extends inwardly in this case as in the first embodiment. A foot flange 2!! is provided. 1

The invention has a distinct advantage oveother types of-bracketsin that the cornice mounting is positioned in correct relationship to the other fastenings incorporated therein. In Figure 2, it will be-noted thatthe'section 32, on which the drapery rod is-mounted'is extended laterally beyond the Venetian blind mounting. Thus, the draperies hang down correctly covering the window frame and the side edges of the blind. The two modifications shown, also keep this same correct relationship between the cornice mounting and the other fastenings. Consequently, it is asimple matter toinstall windowfurnishings correctly and neatly by fastening only one .set of brackets to the-framework of the window. Once the setis installed, the correct relationship between curtains, draperiea or other hangingsand the blind, if used is .established, making it unnecessary to'drive many nails or screw-s into the woodwork aroundthe'window andtomeasure the distances between each bracket to establish'the correct position for eachset.

Having described-my invention, 1 claim:

1.;A bracket for mounting windowfurnishings consisting of a sheet --metal :element having a flange adapted to be attached -to the window frame, a portion extendingoutwardly from the flange adapted to support-one-end of a Venetian blind head rail, a portion extending at right angles from the last-named portion, a portionextending outwardly from the last-named portion and including means-for supporting curtain rods-and a flange turned at right angles to the last-mentioned portion and adapted tosupport acornice for concealing curtain .rods, head rail, and brac ket.

2. A bracket for use in supporting a head rail and curtain rods consisting of, a single piece of sheet metal, Venetian blind head rail supporting means fixed to one portion of the bracket, said bracket including an attaching flange at its inner end, and a portion at its outer end including means for suspending curtain rods.

3. A bracket for supporting a Venetian blind head rail and a curtain rod, said bracket comprising, a sheet metal element including an attaching flange at its inner end, a head rail supporting portion extending outwardly from the flange, and a portion incorporating a rod supporting means, said latter portion offset from the head rail supporting portion at the side of the bracket opposite thereto.

4. A bracket for supporting a Venetian blind head rail and curtain rods, comprising an element providing a flange for attaching the bracket to a window frame, a head rail supporting portion extending outwardly from the attaching flange and an inwardly facing U-shaped portion adapted to support a curtain rod, and supporting ledges in said portion for supporting one end of a cover element.

5. A bracket for supporting a Venetian blind head rail and curtain rods, comprising an element formed of sheet material having an attaching flange, a head rail supporting portion extending outwardly from said flange, a U- shaped section extending laterally from the outer end of said portion and facing inwardly, and a bracket .on the outer wall of said U-shaped section for supporting a .curtain rod.

6. A cornice construction, comprising a fascia plate, side plates and corner members, said cornet members including clips on their inner sides adapted to adjustably receive and mount the adjacent ends of the plates.

7. A bracket for supporting window furnishings, including means at the inner end thereof for supporting a head rail, an outwardly offset portion at the forward end of the bracket, the offset portion of the bracket facing inwardly and including means for supporting curtain rods, and a cornice supported upon said offset portion and adapted to conceal the bracket and supporting means.

8. In combination, a bracket adapted to be mounted on a window frame for supporting the respective ends of a head rail and curtain rods, said bracket including a flange adapted to receive and support a cornice, and a cornice having one end mounted on said flange, providing a clip adapted to engage over said flange, said flange including a cut-away portion, providing a shoulder adapted to engage the edge of the clip so as to prevent lateral displacement of the cornice, said cornice including a corner piece at each end having a portion extending inwardly substantially to the window frame.

9. Means for supporting Window furnishings, comprising a bracket adapted to be mounted at the corner of the upper portion of a window frame, said bracket including supporting means for the window furnishings and a laterally projected flange, a cornice having one end mounted on said last named flange, said cornice providing a front panel and side panels, said flange and the end of said cornice including interlocking means preventing lateral displacement of the cornice.

HARRY G. BALTI-IASAR. 

